Sheriff’s officials say the Lake County Jail in Waukegan is undergoing renovations to upgrade an area in the jail containing safety cells as part of efforts to modernize the facility.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said the Lake County Jail, in coordination with Lake County Facilities, is upgrading an area of the jail designated for individuals at risk of self-harm, commonly referred to as “safety cells.”
The specialized rooms are equipped with soft, rubberized walls designed to prevent inmates from injuring themselves.
The material in the original safety cells has deteriorated over time, limiting their effectiveness and use, Covelli said.
Construction began on May 21 to rebuild the rooms using high-quality, durable materials.
The project is expected to be completed by late June or early July.
Covelli said there may be occasional odors noticeable to corrections staff and inmates.
“Several mitigation steps are being implemented to reduce the impact,” he said.
A full-height, plywood wall was erected around the entire work area and an additional layer of plastic sheeting has been affixed to the interior of the plywood walls.
A negative air machine is being used to extract air from the work areas and routed directly to isolated exhaust ducts.
“No chemical discharge will emanate beyond the isolated work areas,” Covelli said.
The sheriff’s office said the project aligns with its ongoing efforts to enhance jail safety and modernize the facility.